Scanning probe microscopy and spectroscopy on supramolecular self-assembled fullerene nanostructures

Full text: The ability to engineer distinct patterns at the supramolecular level is a crucial step in nanometer-sized technology. Self-assemblying and/or self-organizing systems are especially important in this respect, as they appear to be the only feasible means for employing nanotechnology on the commercial scale. We have recently reported on the successful synthesis of ionic fullerene derivatives which are able to spontaneously form low-dimensional shapes ('nanorods') observed by TEM to be about 4 nm in diameter and several microns in length. The nanorods consist of a close-packed hydrophobic fullerene core and ionic sidegroups, and are relatively soluble in polar solvents. Here we present a combined microscopic/ spectroscopic study of the nanorods, utilizing scanning probe microscopy as well as IR, Raman and optical spectroscopy. Functionalization-induced spectral changes are explored, and the self-assemblying properties are discussed with respect solvent, concentration and thermal stability effects. The results obtained fill a gap in the characterization of these materials and may open the road towards more specialized applications of nanorods. (author)